Jonathon Nwanko Given Release from His Letter Of Intent

[Otis]

You can apply to the U almost anytime due to heir rolling admissions policy. My son applied and was accepted in less than a month. There has got to be a problem with his app for this to have happened.

 

[bga1]

This hurts. Anyone pretending it doesn't is kidding themselves. Nwanko was supposed to be an immediate impact guy in terms of rebounding, toughness and defensive presence. It was expected his offensive game would be a work in progress and that he'd have foul trouble issues, but if he could just grab some boards & play some D before fouling out every night it would have been a big upgrade to our baby-butt soft front court.

Bakary is skilled and isn't a sissy, but we desperately need some toughness up front and now where's that coming from? Gaston hasn't earned any real minutes yet at his own position, much less at the 5. To my knowledge he has never played a single minute at the Center position for us? Lynch is a year off still. King and Buggs are non factors for rebounding, defense or toughness. It's not the end of the world, but Nwanko was probably the second most important recruit behind Dorsey in terms of immediate impact.

Good post. While long term I have a feeling that McBrayer is going to be the guy to emerge along with Dorsey, in the next year we really needed J.N. and he was an important piece of the puzzle. Gaston is going to have to step up at the 5 and Buggs is going to have to dedicate himself to becoming a lot stronger and more physical this summer. The Lynch signing certainly becomes more clear in light of this news.

 

[Golden_Sloth]

This sucks. I was looking forward to watching Nwankwo, he would have been a physical presence that we have sorely lacked the past couple years. There's no saying whether or not he would have ended up 'buried', but he was a higher rated recruit than Bakary or Gas and seemed to have the right attitude, so I think it's pretty likely that he would have been a contributor in some capacity before too long.

 

[BarnBoy]

Wonder if there is another recruit in the works. A few are hinting in this thread that this may be the case.

 

[go_gophers]

I hope this doesn't mean that we lose Golden_Sloth's avatar...

 

[60's Guy]

This hurts. Anyone pretending it doesn't is kidding themselves. Nwanko was supposed to be an immediate impact guy in terms of rebounding, toughness and defensive presence. It was expected his offensive game would be a work in progress and that he'd have foul trouble issues, but if he could just grab some boards & play some D before fouling out every night it would have been a big upgrade to our baby-butt soft front court.

Bakary is skilled and isn't a sissy, but we desperately need some toughness up front and now where's that coming from? Gaston hasn't earned any real minutes yet at his own position, much less at the 5. To my knowledge he has never played a single minute at the Center position for us? Lynch is a year off still. King and Buggs are non factors for rebounding, defense or toughness. It's not the end of the world, but Nwanko was probably the second most important recruit behind Dorsey in terms of immediate impact.

It does hurt but we have to move forward. 100% toughness is an issue. It hurts a little more because he was a guy who was excited to be here. I agree with bga it is much easier to see why Lynch is here now as he brings similar attributes. The short coming is next year, no doubt, but Gas had a late start and 3 guys in front of him...he will be counted on. I'm hoping Murphy and McBrayer were and are the two most important recruits and will provide the greatest impact, behind Dorsey performing in the number one spot.
We are just going to have to increase the tempo or pace and create our own version of havoc. I agree with your analysis, it's not a good thing right now but we'll adapt. Murphy helps a lot of things and we'll see who the next "last recruit in 2015" is.

 

[Winnipegopher]

If this is an ncaa issue then he could not get in anywhere else, right? Let's see what happens.

If this is a Minnesota issue then it is a problem. Minnesota's athletic standards should be whatever the Big Ten allows, nothing more. Minnesota is a huge state school that can and should accommodate a few risks, both in athletics and in the general student body.

If admissions is causing this then I fully understand why Pitino would want to leave. It will be very difficult to succeed with one hand tied behind your back.

 

[jwhoops]

It does hurt but we have to move forward. 100% toughness is an issue. It hurts a little more because he was a guy who was excited to be here. I agree with bga it is much easier to see why Lynch is here now as he brings similar attributes. .

Or, Lynch is here because he freaking led the nation in block rate last year and was one of the top 5 sit out transfers available this spring. Nahhh...

 

[SelectionSunday]

If this is an ncaa issue then he could not get in anywhere else, right? Let's see what happens.

Out of curiosity, what would your thoughts be if he lands at another school but is ineligible to play the first year (that would confirm it's a NCAA issue)?

 

[Holy Man]

Out of curiosity, what would your thoughts be if he lands at another school but is ineligible to play the first year (that would confirm it's a NCAA issue)?

Selection, do they still do that? Accept a guy who is ineligible as a freshman and allow him to fix whatever needs to be fixed while at school, presumably on scholarship? Wasn't that what Prop 48 or whatever was? His problem seems to mirror the guy from Seattle's problem more than anything, and he ended up in Juco.

I suspect we'll never know the answer definitively because of privacy rules, though.

 

[SelectionSunday]

Selection, do they still do that? Accept a guy who is ineligible as a freshman and allow him to fix whatever needs to be fixed while at school, presumably on scholarship? Wasn't that what Prop 48 or whatever was? His problem seems to mirror the guy from Seattle's problem more than anything, and he ended up in Juco.

I suspect we'll never know the answer definitively because of privacy rules, though.

If he enrolls at another D1 school but has to sit because of a NCAA issue, I believe he would have to pay his own way. Pretty safe bet that doesn't happen very often, where a school admits a kid who isn't eligible to play right away, and if they do admit him, the kid/family is willing to pay his own way. Not 100% sure about that, however.

GW, if you're reading this by chance, could you clarify my understanding of this or correct me if I'm wrong?

 

[98VQueens]

This sucks. I was looking forward to watching Nwankwo, he would have been a physical presence that we have sorely lacked the past couple years

I was too. Looking back at when he visited his coach made it sound like he had a ways to go basketball wise. He was also ranked #50 PF and #214 overall.

 

[Hates Monikers]

If he enrolls at another D1 school but has to sit because of a NCAA issue, I believe he would have to pay his own way. Pretty safe bet that doesn't happen very often, where a school admits a kid who isn't eligible to play right away, and if they do admit him, the kid/family is willing to pay his own way. Not 100% sure about that, however.

GW, if you're reading this by chance, could you clarify my understanding of this or correct me if I'm wrong?

Isn't this essentially the situation Jeff Jones was in last year?

 

[SelectionSunday]

Isn't this essentially the situation Jeff Jones was in last year?

I think so. That's why I hope to hear from GW. He has pretty good inside knowledge on the intricacies of some of this NCAA stuff.

 

[Dr.Don]

I think so. That's why I hope to hear from GW. He has pretty good inside knowledge on the intricacies of some of this NCAA stuff.

I know GW catches a lot of static on GH, but I agree with this comment by you, SS.

 

[die hard gopher]

I think so. That's why I hope to hear from GW. He has pretty good inside knowledge on the intricacies of some of this NCAA stuff.

I know GW has said before that the rules vary between sports and conferences so he wouldn't necessarily be able to do what Jeff Jones did.

 

[98VQueens]

I know GW catches a lot of static on GH

Not sure why.

BigJayBee J.B. Bauer
"From what I know" = "Uh Oh" RT @DarrenWolfson: Maturi on Mbakwe's Miami situation: "From what I know all is ok." #Gophers

Oh boy. More major drama for #Gophers bball likely to unfold. Not liking where this may wind up.

Think this one through a bit more.



This one too.

Always appeared unlikely to work out with Diedhiou (both respect to initially joining the program and also longer-term). Things could always change, but if he never joins the team I don't see it as a negative.

Sometimes the real story is fed in a certain way for effect.

Things are often not what they seem if you accept only what you're told.

Consider what may actually be at play here and different ways of handling it. See if you don't conclude this path may be the best available.

How's that $190MM project going? Saw some of the plans have already been scaled back. What's the latest?

I actually think there is hope. The timing won't be what it should be, but I think the U will come around and try to get the key things done fairly soon (e.g. football, bball)

Unless a big donor steps up with tons of money, this is going to be a looooong thread (i.e., ongoing "updates" for many years before there is a new bball practice facility).

significant shortfall to the "goal" of $190M and for everything to be built in 6 to 8 years.

VCU's new bball practice facility is just a dream there like it is here for Minnesota.

Nope, sorry. Still just a dream. Need lots more money. Recent gift could prove to be very helpful, but they've still got a loooooooong way to go before they have the money or begin construction.

How does Minnesota solve this issue of needing a practice facility?

VCU desperately wants and needs a new basketball practice facility. They're in the same situation as Minnesota is.

 

[justthefacts]

Or, Lynch is here because he freaking led the nation in block rate last year and was one of the top 5 sit out transfers available this spring. Nahhh...

Is there a list somewhere that ranks all the spring 2015 transfers?

 

[Winasota Gopher]

Not sure why.

BigJayBee J.B. Bauer
"From what I know" = "Uh Oh" RT @DarrenWolfson: Maturi on Mbakwe's Miami situation: "From what I know all is ok." #Gophers

Oh boy. More major drama for #Gophers bball likely to unfold. Not liking where this may wind up.

IMO GW has rarely been "wrong", obviously some landmark and memorable moments that we all latch onto but much of what you quoted (note I didnt say all) are factual statements. I just disagree with his tact and presentation of facts and especially his opinions. But I don't think he comes here to be liked, so to him who cares. He's going to share what he wants to share.

 

[station19]

IMO GW has rarely been "wrong", obviously some landmark and memorable moments that we all latch onto but much of what you quoted (note I didnt say all) are factual statements. I just disagree with his tact and presentation of facts and especially his opinions. But I don't think he comes here to be liked, so to him who cares. He's going to share what he wants to share.

Promote his website maybe?

Yes he does a nice job of explaining many of the ncaa rules etc.......BUT

BTW nice list Queens.

 

[Mulligan]

Promote his website maybe?

Yes he does a nice job of explaining many of the ncaa rules etc.......BUT

BTW nice list Queens.

Personally, I'd rather be uninformed regarding NCAA rules minutia.

You feed that ego and, before you know it, the guy will be analyzing Kill's medical issues or telling Pitino who to play or coming up with a better way to handle the practice facilities project.

 

[scher215]

Personally, I'd rather be uninformed regarding NCAA rules minutia.

You feed that ego and, before you know it, the guy will be analyzing Kill's medical issues or telling Pitino who to play or coming up with a better way to handle the practice facilities project.

Because no one on a message board has ever done any of those things prior to GW ...

 

[Winnipegopher]

Out of curiosity, what would your thoughts be if he lands at another school but is ineligible to play the first year (that would confirm it's a NCAA issue)?

I would be ok with that I guess unless I had more information indicates that Minnesota wouldn't admit him.

My gut says the U of M admission office is harder on athletes than they need to be. I hope I am wrong. At such a huge school, athletes should get in if they meet the NCAA or Big Ten minimum. I would bet that admissions lets in weaker students every year than Nwanko or Diedhou.

It would be hard to prove ad malicious to try but I bet last year, some department enrolled a grad student with a lower English score than Diedhue. I also bet it was a good decision as the student was probably very gifted in his field.

 

[98VQueens]

IMO GW has rarely been "wrong"

Right or wrong he's an pompous prick. His comments on Kill and Norwood should have gotten him banned a long time ago.

Doesn't seem to even be a fan of the Maroon and Gold at all.

 

[Tim1406]

It would be hard to prove ad malicious to try but I bet last year, some department enrolled a grad student with a lower English score than Diedhue. I also bet it was a good decision as the student was probably very gifted in his field.

One could argue that at the moment of admission Diedhiou's field of study was basketball and he was very good at it. But as of now the school doesn't allow players to major in a sport so there's that...

 

[dpodoll68]

I would bet that admissions lets in weaker students every year than Nwanko or Diedhou.

No way. Minnesota has become a difficult school to gain admission to for the mainstream (i.e., non-athlete) student, and is becoming increasingly so with each passing year.

Why do so many people want to blame Admissions for doing their job instead of blaming the coaches for recruiting borderline players or blaming the student for not having their profile in order?

 

[Tim1406]

Why do so many people want to blame Admissions for doing their job instead of blaming the coaches for recruiting borderline players or blaming the student for not having their profile in order?

Because nobody actually believes or cares that these are supposed to be student-athletes anymore. We want our school to win on the court and who cares what the academics are like so long as we don't know about it.

 

[howeda7]

Personally, I'd rather be uninformed regarding NCAA rules minutia.

You feed that ego and, before you know it, the guy will be analyzing Kill's medical issues or telling Pitino who to play or coming up with a better way to handle the practice facilities project.

Everyone knows the NCAA has a giant wheel they spin when they decide transfer/eligibility issues anyway. Hence it being moronic for anyone to declare there's a '2% chance' of anything.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Gopher Warrior, how does this post

Things are often not what they seem if you accept only what you're told.

Consider what may actually be at play here and different ways of handling it. See if you don't conclude this path may be the best available.

apply to GD but not the practice facilities?

We'll hang up and listen.

 

[MadtownGopher]

Gopher Warrior, how does this post



apply to GD but not the practice facilities?

We'll hang up and listen.

Haha yes!